Ghana Card: NIA Disconnects GRA From Identity Verification Platform Over GH¢376 Million Unpaid Debt
- The National Identification Authority cut the Ghana Revenue Authority off from the Ghana Card verification services
- Samson Asaki Awingobit, the Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association, confirmed to YEN.com.gh that this has affected businesses
- The National Identification Authority reported an estimated debt of over GH¢150 million from various government entities in 2024
The National Identification Authority disconnected the Ghana Revenue Authority from its Identity Verification Service platform because of a GH¢376 million debt.
This left importers and exporters stranded as they were unable to clear goods at the country's ports.
Source: Facebook
Samson Asaki Awingobit, the Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association, confirmed to YEN.com.gh that some of his cohort were affected by this action.
The disconnection follows concerns with the National Identification Authority's financial strain.
The Identity Verification Service platform is a critical digital infrastructure that enables public and private institutions to instantly verify the identity of individuals using the Ghana Card database.
What does the disconnection mean?
The disconnection of the Ghana Revenue Authority means it can no longer use the platform to verify the identities of taxpayers and other individuals, potentially disrupting tax compliance efforts and other key operations.
The Head of Corporate Affairs at the National Identification Authority, Williams Aumman Dallas, told Joy News said his outfit needed money.
In a press conference earlier, Dallas as harped on the authority's financial strain.
"Let me state that there are institutions that are owing us. These are public institutions, and I've been advised not to mention names. So I will not mention names, but it is honestly affecting our operations as an authority."
In 2024, the National Identification Authority reported an estimated debt of over GH¢ 150 million from various government entities, a figure that has likely grown.
Government introduces new fees for Ghana Card
In February, the National Identification Authority announced updated fees for Ghana Card services at designated registration centres.
These included first-time registration, card replacement and record updates.
According to a public notice, first-time registration and record updates would each cost GH¢310.
Source: Facebook
A card replacement would be charged at GH¢420, while individuals updating their records and replacing their cards simultaneously would pay GH¢355.
Nationality updates would cost GH¢365. The authority stated that these fees apply only at specific registration centres.
Piloting of the Ghana Card abroad
In September 2024, YEN.com.gh reported that the National Identification Authority extended Ghana Card services to Ghanaians in North America as part of a pilot exercise.
The first beneficiary cities were Ottawa and Ontario in Canada, and Washington DC and New York in the United States.
Its officials and its technical partner were training embassy staff to serve as registration officers.
The NIA also announced that its officials and technical partner were also training embassy staff to serve as registration officers for the Ghana card.
These staff members are working as registration officers in the first phase of the pilot exercise to register Ghanaians abroad.
The registration fees approved by parliament varied by region, with ECOWAS nationals paying $55, the rest of Africa $75, and the rest of the world $115.
Source: YEN.com.gh
